Around the Nation: Auburn at Mississippi is the game of the week

Game of the week

Auburn at Mississippi

Both teams had to feel good on Tuesday when the first College Football Ranking was revealed. The Tigers, fourth in the AP poll, were third. Mississippi, which dropped to seventh in the AP poll after falling to LSU, was fourth. It sets up perhaps the first playoff elimination game because the loser will have two losses. At the very least, the loser will need to win out, reach the SEC Championship Game and win that.

Upset of the week

West Virginia over TCU

The Mountaineers’ confidence grows by the week. Undoubtedly coach Dana Holgorsen has an improved team, but there’s also some fortunate scheduling happening. West Virginia plays all its ranked Big 12 opponents at home. The Mountaineers lost to Oklahoma, beat Baylor and have TCU and Kansas State remaining. The Big 12’s most improved defense gets enough stops against Trevone Boykin and pulls off the stunner.

Others to watch

Stanford at Oregon

The Ducks have a Stanford problem. After beating the Cardinal 53-30 three years ago, Oregon has dropped two straight. Stanford has defended Oregon better than any opponent because it plays disciplined defense and has not allowed Oregon to beat it to the outside. With a loss already, the Ducks need this one to remain in the playoff hunt.

Arizona at UCLA

The Pac-12 South seemingly brings a dynamite matchup every weekend. There are two this week, including Wildcats-Bruins at the Rose Bowl. Two years ago in this spot, UCLA won 66-10. It won’t be like that, but veteran quarterback Brett Hundley should have the edge over counterpart Anu Solomon.

Utah at Arizona State

The other Pac-12 showdown has the Utes visiting Arizona State. Utah, coming off a victory at Southern California, is an excellent defensive team and leads the nation with 35 sacks. Running back Devontae Booker leads the league with 166.3 rushing yards. Taylor Kelly returned at quarterback for the Sun Devils last week and looked rusty in a victory at Washington.

On the horizon: Nov. 8 games

Kansas State at TCU

Big 12 and purple showdown

Baylor at Oklahoma

Big 12 undercard

Notre Dame at Arizona State

Irish need a statement victory

Ohio State at Michigan State

Big Ten elimination game

Oregon at Utah

Classic offense vs. defense meeting

Saturday’s Top 25 Games

No. 1 Mississippi State vs. Arkansas, 6:15 p.m.

No. 4 Auburn at No. 7 Mississippi, 6 p.m.

No. 5 Oregon vs. Stanford, 6:30 p.m.

No. 6 Notre Dame vs. Navy at Landover, Md., 7 p.m.

No. 9 Georgia vs. Florida at Jacksonville, Fla., 2:30 p.m.

No. 10 TCU at No. 20 West Virginia, 2:30 p.m.

No. 11 Kansas State vs. Oklahoma State, 7 p.m.

No. 12 Baylor vs. Kansas, 3 p.m.

No. 13 Ohio State vs. Illinois, 7 p.m.

No. 14 Arizona at No. 25 UCLA, 9:30 p.m.

No. 15 Arizona State vs. No. 18 Utah, 10 p.m.

No. 17 Nebraska vs. Purdue, 2:30 p.m.

No. 19 Oklahoma at Iowa State, 11 a.m.

No. 21 East Carolina at Temple, 11 a.m.

No. 24 Duke at Pittsburgh, 11 a.m.

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